Symptoms of a Heartbreak by Sona Charaipotra
Published by Imprint on July 2nd 2019
ISBN: 1250199107
Pages: 336
Goodreads

This romantic, comedy for readers in grades 9-12 will bring on the laughs, the tears and a desire for Indian food to be eaten with a dose of Bollywood movies.  Sixteen year old Saira Sehgal, “Saira with an i”, is publically known as the girl genius.  She is now starting her first rotation in the pediatric oncology unit as Dr. Sehgal and an intern where her mother happens to be on staff.  Falling for Lincoln (Link) the handsome Rock Star Camp show wannabe contestant who happens to be on the ward as a leukemia patient, is not only off limits professionally (so  inevitable), but  it is even worse for Saira because she lets him believe that she is a cancer patient.  Let the medical drama, first romance, Dougie Howser- esque fun begin.  Charaipotra provides a supportive and large busy Indian family that hold to some cultural traditions as the backdrop for this easy romance, providing names of Indian food and endearments without translation (and it works!).  Saira’s potential betrothed, who is secretly gay with Saira’s blessing, provides her with the ability to assist Link with finding a bone marrow donor even when she is restricted from seeing him.   Issues of medical ethics, privacy, and family loss are mixed in with a teen romantic drama and the parental pressures that some teens face.  Perfect for romance lovers and strong female characters.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library